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Yoga |
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Q. What is Yoga ? |
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A.
Although many people think this term refers to union between
body and mind or body, mind and spirit, the traditional
acceptance is union between the Jivatman and Paramatman that
is between one's individual consciousness and the Universal
Consciousness.
Therefore Yoga refers to a certain state of consciousness as
well as to methods that help one reach that goal or state of
union with the divine. |
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Q. The Five Point
of Yoga ? |
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There are
hundreds or more of such techniques and therefore as many
different Yogas. In order to simplify and clarify the topic,
Swami Vishnu-devananda summarized the vast science of Yoga
into 5 principles of Yoga which are easy to understand and
to include in one's daily life.
These five points are:
1. Proper Exercise
2. Proper Breathing
3. Proper Relaxation
4. Proper Diet
5. Meditation1. Proper Exercise
(Asanas)
Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our
lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and
joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with
time. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner
while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life.
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum
capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing
should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality
and mental clarity.
3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones,
computers, freeways and other modern triggers of stress, the
Rishis (sages or seers) and Yogis of yore devised very
powerful techniques of deep relaxation. As a matter of fact,
many modern stress-management and relaxation methods borrow
heavily from this tradition. By relaxing deeply all the
muscles the Yogi can thoroughly rejuvenate his nervous
system and attain a deep sense of inner peace.
4. Proper Diet (Vegetarian)
Besides being responsible for building our physical body,
the foods we eat profoundly affect our mind. For maximum
body-mind efficiency and complete spiritual awareness, Yoga
advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an integral part
of the Yogic lifestyle.
5. Meditation (Dhyana)
Here is the most important point of all, we become what we
think. Thus we should exert to entertain positive and
creative thoughts as these will contribute to vibrant health
and a peaceful, joyful mind. A positive outlook on life can
be developed by learning and practicing the teachings of the
philosophy of Vedanta. The mind will be brought under
perfect control by regular practice of meditation.
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Q. The Four path of
Yoga ? |
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The
Four Paths of Yoga
The various Yogic practices have been traditionally
classified into the four Margas (paths). These four paths
are:
- Jnana Yoga or Jnana Marga which is the
Yoga of wisdom and develops the Intellect or will
- Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of devotion,
opens the heart
- Karma Yoga, the path of action of
selfless service.
- Raja Yoga, the royal or psychological
which involves the mind. A branch of Raja Yoga which is
Hatha Yoga which prepares the Yogi for the higher stages
of Raja Yoga.
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Q. Meditation (Dhayana)
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(OM NAMHA SHIVAY)
Positive Thinking & Meditation constitute
one of the 5 fundamental points of Yoga.
When the surface of a lake is still, one can see to the
bottom very clearly. This is impossible when the surface is
agitated by waves. In the same way, when the mind is still,
with no thoughts or desires, you can see the "Self" this is
called "Yoga".
We can control the mental agitation by two means: by
concentrating the mind either externally or internally.
Internally, we focus on the "Self" or the consciousness of
"I am". Externally, we focus on anything other than the
"Self" or "I am".
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Q. The 14 Points of
Meditaions ! |
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1. Regularity of time, place and practice are important.
Regularity conditions the mind to slow down its activities
with a minimum of delay.
2. The most effective times are early dawn and dusk, when
the atmosphere is charged with special spiritual force. If
it is not feasible to sit for meditation at these times,
choose an hour when you are not involved with daily
activities, and a time when the mind is apt to be calm.
3. Try to have a separate room for meditation. As meditation
is repeated, the powerful vibrations set up will be lodged
in the area; an atmosphere of peace and purity will be felt.
4. When sitting, face North or East in order to take
advantage of favorable magnetic vibrations. Sit in a steady,
comfortable, cross-legged position with spine and neck erect
but not tense.
5. Before beginning, command the mind to be quiet for a
specific length of time. Forget the past, present and
future.
6. Consciously regulate the breath. Begin with five minutes
of deep abdominal breathing to bring oxygen to the brain.
Then slow it down to an imperceptible rate.
7. Keep the breathing, rhythmic, inhale for three seconds
and exhale for three seconds. Regulation of breath also
regulates the flow of prana, the vital energy.
8. Allow the mind to wander at first. It will jump around,
but will eventually become concentrated, along with the
concentration of prana.
9. Don't force the mind to be still, as this will set in
motion additional brain waves, hindering meditation.
10. Select a focal point on which the mind may rest. For
people who are intellectual by nature, this may be the Ajna
Chakra., the point between the eyebrows. For more emotional
people, use the Anahata or Heart Chakra. Never change this
focal point.
11. Focus on a neutral or uplifting object, holding the
image in the place of concentration. If using a Mantra,
repeat it mentally, and co-ordinate repetition with the
breath. If you don't have a personalized Manta, use Om.
Although mental repetition is stronger, the mantra may be
repeated aloud if one becomes drowsy. Never change the
Mantra.
12. Repetition will lead to pure thought, in which sound
vibration merges with thought vibration, without awareness
of meaning. Vocal repetition progresses through mental
repetition to telepathic language, and from there to pure
thought.
13. With practice, duality disappears and Samadhi, or the
super conscious state, is reached. Do not become impatient,
as this takes a long time.
14. In Samadhi one rests in the state of bliss in which the
Knower, the Knowledge, and the Known become one. This is the
super conscious state reached by mystics of all faiths and
persuasions.
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